Nursing Elites

1. A 3-month-old infant has been hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). What is the priority intervention?

• A. Administering an antiviral agent
• B. Clustering care to conserve energy
• C. Offering oral fluids to promote hydration
• D. Providing an antitussive agent when necessary

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The priority intervention for a 3-month-old infant hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is clustering care to conserve energy. Infants with RSV often struggle to breathe and require rest periods to recover. Clustering care involves organizing nursing activities to allow for rest intervals, reducing the infant's energy expenditure and aiding recovery. Administering antiviral agents is not the primary intervention for RSV since it is a viral infection, and antiviral medications may not be effective against RSV. While offering oral fluids is crucial for hydration, it may not be the priority when the infant is having respiratory difficulties. Providing an antitussive agent when necessary can help with coughing but is not the priority intervention for managing RSV in this scenario.

2. A 7-year-old child with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus is under the care of a nurse. What is the priority nursing intervention?

• A. Administering insulin as prescribed
• B. Monitoring blood glucose levels
• C. Teaching the child how to self-administer insulin
• D. Encouraging regular exercise

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a 7-year-old child with type 1 diabetes mellitus is monitoring blood glucose levels. This is crucial for managing and adjusting insulin therapy to maintain blood glucose within the target range. Administering insulin as prescribed is important but should be based on monitoring blood glucose levels. Teaching the child how to self-administer insulin may be appropriate for older children but may not be the priority for a 7-year-old. Encouraging regular exercise is a valuable aspect of diabetes management but is not the immediate priority over monitoring blood glucose levels.

3. A child with a diagnosis of hemophilia is admitted to the hospital with a bleeding episode. What is the priority nursing intervention?

• A. Administering pain medication
• B. Monitoring for signs of infection
• C. Administering factor VIII
• D. Ensuring a safe environment

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is administering factor VIII. Hemophilia is a genetic disorder characterized by a deficiency in clotting factors, such as factor VIII. Administering factor VIII is crucial in managing bleeding episodes in hemophiliac patients. Pain medication (Choice A) may be necessary but is not the priority in this situation. Monitoring for signs of infection (Choice B) is important for overall care but is not the priority during a bleeding episode. Ensuring a safe environment (Choice D) is also important but not the priority intervention when managing a bleeding episode in a child with hemophilia.

4. A 1-week-old infant has been in the pediatric unit for 18 hours following placement of a spica cast. The nurse observes a respiratory rate of fewer than 24 breaths/min. No other changes are noted. Because the infant is apparently well, the nurse does not report or document the slow respiratory rate. Several hours later, the infant experiences severe respiratory distress and emergency care is necessary. What should be considered if legal action is taken?

• A. Most infants have slow respirations when they are uncomfortable.
• B. The respirations of young infants are irregular, so a drop in rate is unimportant.
• C. Vital signs that are outside the expected parameters are significant and should be documented.
• D. The respiratory tract of young infants is underdeveloped, and their respiratory rate is not significant.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is C. Any vital signs outside the expected range in an infant should be documented and reported, as they may indicate a developing condition that requires prompt attention. Choice A is incorrect because slow respirations in infants should not be dismissed without assessment and documentation. Choice B is incorrect because a drop in respiratory rate in this case was significant and should have been documented. Choice D is incorrect because even though infants have underdeveloped respiratory tracts, any abnormal respiratory rate should be taken seriously and documented for monitoring and intervention if necessary.

5. Why should the nurse closely monitor the IV flow rate for a 5-month-old infant with severe diarrhea receiving IV fluids?

• A. Maintaining electrolyte balance
• B. Preventing dehydration
• C. Preventing fluid overload
• D. Avoiding cardiac overload

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In infants, monitoring IV flow rates is essential to prevent fluid overload, not cardiac overload. Excessive fluid administration can lead to complications such as pulmonary edema or congestive heart failure. It is crucial to maintain a balance between providing adequate hydration and avoiding fluid overload to prevent adverse outcomes. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because the primary concern is to prevent complications related to excess fluid rather than focusing on electrolyte balance, dehydration prevention, or avoiding cardiac overload.

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